The Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation is the non-profit affiliate of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. We inspire innovation and excellence in the school district through scholarship, faculty innovation grants, and by creating goodwill in our communities.
Join Us for the Annual Mini Golf Outing!
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You are invited to an evening of mini golf, skills challenges, prizes, frozen treats, s'mores, and family fun!
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, 5-8 p.m. Cool Springs Mini Golf This year's mini golf outing will support the Highlander Hub, a new student-managed apparel/convenience store at Baldwin High School that will open for business during the 2025-26 academic year. The store is inspired by the Journey of Highlander and will give students real-world experience with money and inventory management, sales tracking, customer service, vendor relationships, and increase community and school spirit. Please consider being a sponsor or in-kind donor for this year's event! |
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BWEF Receives $10K Grant
from Jefferson Regional Foundation for Purple Pantry
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The Jefferson Regional Foundation has awarded BWEF with a $10,000 grant to support the Purple Pantry at Baldwin High School during the 2025-26 academic year. The grant will advance our efforts to increase the health and well-being of students in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District who are experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and a lack of basic life essentials.
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This is the first grant ever received by BWEF and we would like to thank the Jefferson Regional Foundation for this partnership. Their support will help us aid our District's most at-risk students and position them to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
2025 BWEF Scholarship Recipients
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Congratulations to the Baldwin High School Class of 2025 and this year's group of BWEF scholarship recipients. The foundation was able to make $40,000 available for scholarship funding this year, establishing a new high for the fifth straight year. All of that support comes from our community partners and we would like to thank you for your support.
Recipients of these scholarships exhibit the qualities and values inherent in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, exceptional ambition, a vast collection of hobbies, extra-curricular activities, volunteer commitments, and grade point averages that are off the charts. Congratulations to: • Molly Fircak, sponsored by GBU Life, who will push the boundaries of drone technology while learning aerial photography at Point Park University. • Addison Giglione, sponsored by Carrie on Communication, who will uncover new chemical combinations at the University of North Carolina. |
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• Magnolia Overn, sponsored by HHSDR Architects & Engineers, who will stand bedside at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.
• Maxwell Pegher, sponsored by the family of Mary Lepiane, as he studies for the bar exam at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Ryan Priano, sponsored by UPMC, when he creates new harmony through music education at Duquesne University.
• Aliza Very, sponsored by Whitehall Green Thumbers Garden Club, as she discovers new biological possibilities at the University of Mount Union.
• Jackson Sgattoni, Brady Family Merit Scholarship. Jackson is a member of the national honor society, was voted as student of the month last year, is a varsity letterman in baseball and basketball, and has received multiple awards for his contributions to the school newspaper and podcasting. He will attend Penn State University in the fall to pursue a business degree.
• Leah Moeller, Officer Sean Sluganski Memorial Scholarship. Leah knew that she wanted to enter the field of law enforcement at a young age, and that passion evolved into a goal of pursuing a forensic science degree at West Virginia University. Classmates and teachers described her as driven, determined to succeed, and as having an analytical mindset perfectly suited to solve crimes.
• Alexa Sherman, James E. Lewis Science Scholarship. Alexa studied science through classes in biology, physics, Honors Chemistry, Honors Organic Chemistry, AP Biology, and Honors Anatomy and Physiology. She was accepted to five universities and has decided that her next step is to attend the University of Pittsburgh in pursuit of her career goal: to become a nurse anesthetist.
• Marley Murajda, Dorothy Hutchins Forman Visual Arts Scholarship. Marley’s ability to create with clay, paint, and Copic markers distinguishes her from her classmates. We have all seen her talent on display already, as Marley was one of the winners of the student artwork contest to create yard signs that promoted safer, more cautious driving, and those signs were scattered throughout BW this year. She’s taking her talents to Chatham University next
• Salma Alouane, Arturo Gromo, and Khadicha Kosimjonova, Highlander STEM Scholarship presented by River Point Technology.
Salma plans to attend Yale University this fall and in her scholarship essay she outlined a plan to reduce food waste in developed countries using AI-driven inventory forecasting and a community food-sharing system; Arturo will attend Boston College later this year and in his scholarship essay, he drew up plans to integrate green infrastructure solutions to help manage stormwater naturally and minimize the dangers posed by dual-pipe drainage systems; Khadicha is headed to Columbia University soon and in her scholarship essay, she described her research that examined how hormonal receptors influence immune cell susceptibility in patients with a variety of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and Type 1 diabetes.
• Hannah Damiani, Keith “Juice” Smith Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Hannah has been in the pit for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and been on stage as Lavender in Matilda, Charlotte in Cinderella, Amy in Little Women, and Grover in The Lightning Thief. She will take that performance talent to Southern Methodist University this fall to study theater.
• Gavin Barrett, Bella Burkhart Memorial Scholarship for Rehabilitation Services. Gavin has contributed to several student organizations in and around Baldwin High School, including the Best Buddies Club, the Miracle League of the South Hills, Partners Physical Education Class, and the Introduction to Special Education programs, where he left a special impression and lasting impact on many of the students he interacted with. He will pursue a Speech-Language-Pathology degree at Pennsylvania Western University this fall.
• Emma Smerbeck, Donald Huckle Memorial Band Scholarship. Emma has been a dedicated member of the guard all four years of high school, participating in both marching band and winter color guard. She was a captain for indoor guard and a drum major in her senior year and will begin her studies at the University of Cincinnati this fall.
• Maxwell Pegher, sponsored by the family of Mary Lepiane, as he studies for the bar exam at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Ryan Priano, sponsored by UPMC, when he creates new harmony through music education at Duquesne University.
• Aliza Very, sponsored by Whitehall Green Thumbers Garden Club, as she discovers new biological possibilities at the University of Mount Union.
• Jackson Sgattoni, Brady Family Merit Scholarship. Jackson is a member of the national honor society, was voted as student of the month last year, is a varsity letterman in baseball and basketball, and has received multiple awards for his contributions to the school newspaper and podcasting. He will attend Penn State University in the fall to pursue a business degree.
• Leah Moeller, Officer Sean Sluganski Memorial Scholarship. Leah knew that she wanted to enter the field of law enforcement at a young age, and that passion evolved into a goal of pursuing a forensic science degree at West Virginia University. Classmates and teachers described her as driven, determined to succeed, and as having an analytical mindset perfectly suited to solve crimes.
• Alexa Sherman, James E. Lewis Science Scholarship. Alexa studied science through classes in biology, physics, Honors Chemistry, Honors Organic Chemistry, AP Biology, and Honors Anatomy and Physiology. She was accepted to five universities and has decided that her next step is to attend the University of Pittsburgh in pursuit of her career goal: to become a nurse anesthetist.
• Marley Murajda, Dorothy Hutchins Forman Visual Arts Scholarship. Marley’s ability to create with clay, paint, and Copic markers distinguishes her from her classmates. We have all seen her talent on display already, as Marley was one of the winners of the student artwork contest to create yard signs that promoted safer, more cautious driving, and those signs were scattered throughout BW this year. She’s taking her talents to Chatham University next
• Salma Alouane, Arturo Gromo, and Khadicha Kosimjonova, Highlander STEM Scholarship presented by River Point Technology.
Salma plans to attend Yale University this fall and in her scholarship essay she outlined a plan to reduce food waste in developed countries using AI-driven inventory forecasting and a community food-sharing system; Arturo will attend Boston College later this year and in his scholarship essay, he drew up plans to integrate green infrastructure solutions to help manage stormwater naturally and minimize the dangers posed by dual-pipe drainage systems; Khadicha is headed to Columbia University soon and in her scholarship essay, she described her research that examined how hormonal receptors influence immune cell susceptibility in patients with a variety of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and Type 1 diabetes.
• Hannah Damiani, Keith “Juice” Smith Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Hannah has been in the pit for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and been on stage as Lavender in Matilda, Charlotte in Cinderella, Amy in Little Women, and Grover in The Lightning Thief. She will take that performance talent to Southern Methodist University this fall to study theater.
• Gavin Barrett, Bella Burkhart Memorial Scholarship for Rehabilitation Services. Gavin has contributed to several student organizations in and around Baldwin High School, including the Best Buddies Club, the Miracle League of the South Hills, Partners Physical Education Class, and the Introduction to Special Education programs, where he left a special impression and lasting impact on many of the students he interacted with. He will pursue a Speech-Language-Pathology degree at Pennsylvania Western University this fall.
• Emma Smerbeck, Donald Huckle Memorial Band Scholarship. Emma has been a dedicated member of the guard all four years of high school, participating in both marching band and winter color guard. She was a captain for indoor guard and a drum major in her senior year and will begin her studies at the University of Cincinnati this fall.
Tastebuds Jr. Raises $3,200 for Best Buddies
Corner Kick for the McMillans!
Nominate a Distinguished Highlander Today!
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We are now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Highlander Hall of Fame. BWEF is continuing its tradition of recognizing significant achievements of Baldwin High School alumni who have gone on to successful careers across the world.
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A Distinguished Highlander:
Our next class will be inducted during the Distinguished Highlander Hall of Fame and Awards Gala on March 21, 2026. During this ceremony, we will honor the hall of fame inductees and our Champions of Character (exceptional Baldwin-Whitehall School District personnel) and Above and Beyond honorees (individuals who have made volunteerism in and for our schools a way of life).
- must be a graduate of Baldwin High School that has become a leader in their industry, field, or community.
- may or may not be currently holding the position(s) in which they achieved major success.
- may be living or deceased.
Our next class will be inducted during the Distinguished Highlander Hall of Fame and Awards Gala on March 21, 2026. During this ceremony, we will honor the hall of fame inductees and our Champions of Character (exceptional Baldwin-Whitehall School District personnel) and Above and Beyond honorees (individuals who have made volunteerism in and for our schools a way of life).
Stories of Impact: Innovation Grants
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Donate Unneeded/Unwanted Yard Signs |
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Hear from our guest authors about the impact that a BWEF curriculum innovation grant had on their classroom, their students, and their overall teaching delivery.
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The Yard Sign Recycling program was established to collect unwanted or unneeded yard signs and give them a second life through the Baldwin-Whitehall School District's Mobile Fab Lab.
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Purple Pantry Donations
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Establish a Scholarship?
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The Purple Pantry at Baldwin High School provides basic life essentials (clean clothing, personal hygiene supplies, and toiletries) to students in a private setting so that homeless and the most at-risk students in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District will be put in position to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. BWEF accepts donations at all times and hosts collection drives throughout the year. Cash donations are used to replenish the inventory and we are grateful to the Baldwin-Whitehall communities for their support of this initiative.
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BWEF welcomes scholarship opportunities in the name of an individual donor, business, group, alumni, and/or community engagement opportunity with a minimum value of $500. Each year, we award several scholarships to graduating seniors from Baldwin High School through multiple scholarships, and thanks to our community partners, BWEF awarded more than $90,000 in scholarship value since 2018.
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Pathways to Support BWEF
There are a variety of ways to support the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation. Whether you want to become a community partner, establish an endowment fund, attend/host a fundraiser, or join the foundation as a member, we are always looking for ways to expand our network and our impact. Contact us at [email protected] to start a conversation.
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Follow us on social media!
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